- Ekwunife, M. A*, Okore I. K, Onunwa A. O., Nnabuihe, E.C
- Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
- DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17112555
Palm oil
mill wastes (POMWs), including palm oil mill effluent (POME), palm fruit fibre
(PFF), and palm kernel shell (PKS), are major by-products of palm oil
processing and are often discarded without proper treatment. This study
evaluated the effects of these waste types on selected soil physical and
chemical properties, and concentrations of bioavailable heavy metals (Cr, Pb,
Zn, Cd) in Aguata Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected
from three dumpsites and control sites across three depths (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm,
and 30–45 cm). Standard laboratory protocols were employed, and data were
analysed using ANOVA.
Results showed that POME-treated soils had significantly lower clay content (20.8%) and higher porosity (53.9%) at the surface layer compared to PKS and PFF. POME also increased soil pH (6.84), organic carbon (2.54%), total nitrogen (0.22%), and exchangeable base cations more than other treatments. Heavy metal concentrations, particularly Pb (0.19 mg/kg) and Zn (0.50 mg/kg), were higher in POME-affected soils but remained within permissible limits. Overall, POME demonstrated the greatest potential for improving soil fertility, though with elevated environmental risks due to heavy metal buildup. These findings underscore the need for regulated application and pre-treatment of POMWs to optimize their benefits while minimizing ecological risks in agroecosystems.
